James Murphy
KALANGADOO v HATHERLEIGH
The awaited grand final rematch is finally here with Kalangadoo and Hatherleigh taking to the field in Round 8 of Mid South Eastern football.
The match will be played on the same surface as the 2022 decider, but with greatly improved conditions expected.
The mudbath on Kalangadoo Oval left little room for skills to shine last September, with the Magpies battling the elements the better of the two and emerging with an impressive 61-point win.
However, much has changed since then and last season’s frontrunners have found themselves in the middle of the pack after seven rounds.
Kalangadoo comes off a loss down at the “Bay” to Port MacDonnell and will be eager to turn things around this week.
After a strong first half from the Magpies, the Demons chased them down after the long break before edging out to a nine-point win
Goals were shared around on the day and not one Magpie scored multiple in a diverse attacking performance.
Liam Hay stood tall on the day and will look to carry his form into the weekend, while the likes of Sam McManus and Lachy Jones were also solid.
New recruit Dylan Bromley has been the main target in attack this season with a total of 18 majors, while vice captain Ben Mules is another danger up forward.
Hatherleigh has had a similar contribution from Patrick Chay and Sam Telfer, while last week against Tantanoola it was the Tom Hutchesson show.
He banged through five goals in a game which saw him among the Eagles’ best, while Sam Gray and Jed Telfer showed impressive form also.
Gray enters Round 8 off two consecutive best-on-ground performances and he is sure to have the Magpies’ attention on Saturday.
Based on form Hatherleigh may hold the slight edge, but Kalangadoo will not bow down easily on its home deck.
TANTANOOLA v GLENCOE
Glencoe will chase its third win of the season when it travels to Tigerland on Saturday.
The Murphies visit Tantanoola in a battle between sixth and eighth on the ladder, with the former the favourite to take the points.
The Tigers have struggled against the top sides, but put up a fight against Mount Burr back in Round 2, while their only win for the year has been against Nangwarry.
Last round they fell to Hatherleigh by 50 points, which will boost Glencoe’s confidence after a 97-point thrashing of the Eagles back in the second round.
Glencoe has plenty of talent at its disposal, with the likes of Patrick Mitchell, Zacc Cocks, Alex Hentschke and coach Tom Edwards all in good form.
Mitchell comes off a nine-goal haul against Nangwarry last weekend, while Tory Weaver had another standout performance in front of goals.
He bagged nine majors in the win over the Eagles, while complemented Mitchell with seven goals in their most recent outing for a total of 20 for the year.
Down the other end Cocks provides a vital link out of defence, while through the middle there is no shortage of pace and skill.
The Tigers looked to Braydn Hateley against the Eagles last week, while Jordan and Troy Hatt have been consistent performers and will be relied on again.
Coach Jack Dawe put in a solid four-goal effort last week and he will look to keep leading his team by example.
The home-ground advantage will help their case, but the Tigers will enter this match on the backfoot against the more polished Murphies.
NANGWARRY v KONGORONG
The Hawks descend on Nangwarry this round and should walk away with the four points in convincing fashion.
Kongorong may only have one win on the board after seven rounds, but it has had a few close calls and is certainly a stronger outfit than 2022.
Meanwhile, the Saints are yet to get close to replicating their drought-breaking win from last campaign.
They posted an impressive 95 points against Glencoe last week, yet were still defeated by 90 points in a high-scoring affair.
Andrew Hyland has been a consistent factor up forward and he booted another five goals for his team.
He currently sits equal first on the goal-kicking table with 22 majors for the year so far.
Fittingly he shares the top spot with Kongorong’s Jarrod Ryan and they will put their accuracy to the test this week in hopes to swing the tide of the game.
Of course, it will come down to which team can deliver into attack most efficiently and at this point the Hawks hold that advantage.
Nangwarry joint captain Joel Virtanen has been in impressive form of late, while Jack Pudney was the best of the Saints last round for the second week in a row.
For Kongorong Matt Cordy comes off an impressive performance.
The likes of Luke McIntyre, Brandon Kranz and Ethan Norman have also featured highly among the best in recent rounds, to name only a few players capable of making an impact.
The Hawks should be untroubled on their way to victory.
MOUNT BURR v ROBE
Fresh off a couple of solid outings, Mount Burr faces its toughest test of the season this week when it hosts Robe at Mick and Jean Walker Oval.
The Roosters stand tall as the only undefeated team in the top grade and are undoubtedly a favourite for the post-season honours.
New coach Nathan Brown has built a strong unit with a couple of handy pickups and a wealth of returning talent.
Fresh off the bye Robe will be eager to pick up where it left off, with its latest outing against Kongorong producing a 119-point triumph.
George Dutton was best on in that game, while Henry Lawrie also featured highly as he continues a standout season.
Joel Bryant and Hamish Smith led the way in front of goals, but the Roosters have shown impressive diversity in attack this year.
Some weeks there is a single target, with Brown and Tom Wachtel both having some six-goal hauls, while other weeks it is an even spread up forward.
Brown has been sidelined with injury in recent rounds and should he return will be a big in, but if not there remains no shortage of talent to fill the gap.
The Mozzies also come off a win against the Hawks, although not to the same magnitude.
Jack Gregory led the 13-goal charge for his team, contributing five of those himself to rack up a solid 12 goals in two weeks.
Will Bowering was named man of the match, while the likes of Kallan Bevan and Dylan Ridley have also impressed in recent rounds.
Mount Burr sits in third on the ladder and is well in the finals race, but will want to prove itself against the Roosters.
However, Robe should remain undefeated and reclaim top spot from Port MacDonnell who enjoys the bye this round.
